Topic: Prevention, cancer control and strategic approaches

An approach where people are actively involved in decisions about their own health and healthcare. This includes understanding their options, sharing what matters to them and working with health professionals to make decisions.

Using detailed data and evidence to deliver the right health interventions to the right populations at the right time. It combines population health approaches with more precise information about risk, need and context.

The combination of steps, services and interventions that can reduce a person’s risk of cancer across their life. This may include vaccination, lifestyle changes, risk assessment, screening, early detection, surveillance and treatment for risk reduction.

A broad approach to reducing the impact of cancer on people and communities. It includes preventing cancer where possible, finding it early, improving treatment and supporting people after a cancer diagnosis.

A healthcare approach based on four ideas: predictive, preventive, personalised and participatory. In cancer, this means using better information to predict risk, prevent disease where possible, tailor care to the individual and support people to be active partners in their health.

Actions taken to help prevent cancer from developing in the first place. This can include reducing exposure to things that increase cancer risk, changing behaviours that can lead to cancer, or increasing protection against cancer. Examples include quitting smoking, vaccination, sun protection, healthy eating and regular physical activity.

Actions taken to find cancer or precancerous changes early and reduce their impact. This usually means detecting and treating disease as soon as possible, before it progresses or causes symptoms. Examples include bowel, breast, cervical and lung cancer screening programs.

Actions taken after cancer has been diagnosed to reduce its ongoing impact and help people live as well as possible. This can include treatment, rehabilitation, supportive care, symptom management and survivorship care.